This is 50/50 for me. In one hand him not playing obviously makes it easier for us to win and thats awesome. On the other hand, I just know if we win without him playing everyone will say the win lost meaning.

Honestly though, if you go look at his stats for the year, this might benefit Duke. Grayson is shooting a miserable 38% from the field, and 33% behind the arc. Yes, he is scoring 16 points per game but he is very much like Seth Allen, sometimes he does more harm than good regardless of intent. I think they have way more talented folks sitting behind him that may do us more harm in the game.

I'm not sure - they're going to be incredibly distracted over the next week leading up to our game. Even if the guys behind him are better, I'm not sure it'll show in the next game. Maybe down the line this season, but their next game on the road in the ACC against a good team? That's asking a lot

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Not just targeting but retaliatory targeting. Should have been ejected and suspended.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

I mean, Duke hasn't exactly been lighting teams on fire the last couple games... We had a good shot to win before, so this has to help. Plus, now they have to listen to questions about Trip for the next week keeping them distracted.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

And, if we're being even a little serious, this tripping thing just isn't even close to as big of a deal as a direct punch in the crotch. Even considering repeat offenses. It's just not that big a deal.

Can you explain why it's not a big deal? The dude is repeatedly doing something against the rules and has previously been doing so without any semblance of punishment. I don't disagree that he's only going to get one game, but I couldn't disagree more with the point that it's not a big deal.

Everyone knows Coach K will claim that Allen didn't trip anyone at the annual Duke-mas Blue on White game, so he learned his lesson and is immediately reinstated. This is his "Obviously, we will do more".

I don't think it was a big deal because it wasn't really a particularly violent thing, he got called for the foul...his meltdown was silly and he's certainly gotta grow up a bit. But I think a shot blocker swatting downwards into a guy's face in the lane is 10x as violent as what I saw, and equally unnecessary, and happens all the time. The technical foul (and subsequent benching) was sufficient in my mind. But maybe I just played enough pickup games to recognize a guy who is a button pusher when I see one.

It is in the "unwritten rules" of basketball. Its a huge deal. Mainly because it is an obvious attempt to potentially hurt your opponent and that he hasnt learned his lesson on a national stage each time he has done it. Second because it has no place in the game, especially in the three different circumstances that he did it. Duke wasnt at risk, already up by eight at the point that he did this latest one. Lastly, I could see it being more than one game because of the way Coach K handles negative press on his squad. Coach K doesnt like tarnish. That said, expect him back either for the Florida State game or the Louisville game because Coach K doesnt like losing either. Duke has Tech, Georgia Tech and Boston College before the Florida State game.

I agree with the suspension but I am not a fan of the use of "unwritten rules" as a justification for punishment. In my mind these are stupid, unacceptable fouls (seems like an emotional outburst for him) but I think there are a lot of fouls every game with a lot more potential to hurt a player that do not garner such attention.

the reason that it has been such a big deal this time is because of the previous two. This has progressed from minor stupid mistake to pattern of trying to hurt opponents. All the other types of fouls you list, Grayson has accumulated quite a fair share of his own of those as well but this is the one no one else does and with the National stage, you would think he would have learned after the first time to stop it, let alone bringing us to a third. Mole Hill growing into a Mountain by being fed.

It also didn't help that last year Coach K made a point of saying that the whole thing was a fabrication by the media and that the media and refs were somehow out to get Grayson. And then this summer Grayson admits he did it, and then says he's a changed man and has learned from his mistakes. And then does it again.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Maybe I'm naive I don't see intent to hurt someone in his trips. I see frustration and "lashing out" (that should absolutely be punished, particularly with a repeat offender) but not the intent to actually injure someone. A trip seems fairly benign to me (in terms of potential for injury) compared to a punch or diving into someone's knees (football). Never having played basketball at any serious level I am probably not in tune with the risks of tripping someone.

A trip seems fairly benign to me (in terms of potential for injury) compared to a punch or diving into someone's knees (football).

2 major problems with the trip.
1. If the trippee is not looking he could take a header, especially if he is running full speed up the court. Concussions and all.
2. The most important body parts are the legs on a BBall player. Anything around the legs is worse than up top. Notice how guys react when they get undercut. Not happy, Even on a jumpshot, because an ankle can keep a player out for weeks.

Tweedy can run like a dadgum antelope or whatever. I like to use scalded dog. Do antelopes lumber? Cheetah, OK. He runs like a cheetah. He's fast. - Bud Foster

Thanks, to expand on #2, lower legs being especially important, a trip can cause you to misstep which can easily lead to 1) lisfranc sprain 2) torn Achilles 3) torn knee ligament(s) 4) ankle sprain (both high and low) not to mention an awkward stretch can cause torn hamstrings or groin. All of the above would likely end someone's season other than possibly the hamstring, just depends on severity. Fall to the court has potential for concussions, injured elbow trying to catch yourself, amongst others.

In addition, in no way, shape, or form could a trip like this be even remotely considered as an extension of a basketball play.

One could argue this could be called a Flagrant 2 with ejection from the game - I'm no rules expert, but he wasn't going for the ball, was not conducting a basketball play, and he went out of his way to trip someone (arguments to be had on worst case from this).

Eh, sorry but your argument isn't convincing to me. Unwritten rules are subjective, I've never heard of the tripping one but I guess if you say it's a "huge deal" then you must be right and I must be wrong. All I ever did way play church league and pickup games, so perhaps the law of the jungle changes at higher levels of competition.

That said, I find Allen to be obnoxious and immature but it doesn't seem that he wasn't trying to hurt anyone on this play. It was an awkward play, and an obvious leg kick after some horrible position defense, but not especially violent...he just kind of hooked the guy in the back of the knee. Folks hit the deck harder than that almost every time down the court. Let's not construe some hypothetical potential injury with Allen having an intent to injure the guy.

However I do agree with your comment that perhaps Duke will be better without him. I always feel that Allen is on the edge of control (emotional, physical, what have you), and that he gets himself into trouble, plays too fast and turns the ball over too much.

It isn't the actual play that is the issue, which is where I think we are losing you. It is the malicious intent while trying to for lack of a better term "sneaky trip" another player. It is dirty, it is immature, and it is against the unwritten rules of basketball.

I played competitive basketball until I graduated high school. Does this make me an expert? Probably not. Is it a lot more than most people have played? Most likely. I have done my fair share of hard fouls but my intent was always understood as someone was coming to the basket and I always went for the ball. The nothing easy mentality is a whole lot different than the Grayson Allen trip you while you aren't looking antics. There is a reason the kid from Elon got up ready to defend himself.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Well it would not be duke if they did not have a punkass whiteboy on their team...

I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction:
“I served in the United States Navy"

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

That Coach K... such a leader of men (when it doesn't impact wins/losses)

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Yep... more than a little convenient that he does this the day before he takes a leave from the team for a month so that he doesn't have to answer to the critics

Coach K is such a slimeball

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

You read my comment correctly. I can however tell you that the honor code is solid for 99% of the cadets, but there are a few that "play to the echo of the whistle" (to mix my sports metaphors) when it comes to sports (I was a USAFA cadet for a summer and a fall semester).

I've never rooted against a college basketball team so hard in my life. With the recruiting classes Duke pulls year in and year out, one player shouldn't make so much a difference to where their "indefinite" suspension turns into one game after a loss. You can bet every coach in conference play and thereafter will be designating specific guys to get in Allen's head and bait him into blowing up. Contrary to Laettner, Redick, Paulus, and other hated Duke stars, Allen seems to be an absolute time bomb and at any given moment it can be at 5 seconds.

Make sure you watch the video as part of the article because it shows the play in question. Seth Greenberg's opinion is that this was a natural recovery. I tend to disagree as I feel most players would have taken a baby step forward rather than a straight leg lift backwards. Even Greenberg in his demonstration takes the step forward that i am referring to. Not as blatant as some of his past transgressions but still an attempt to slow an opponent since he lost coverage due to the screen. Regardless, nothing is going to come of it as the ACC has made its ruling and Duke isn't going to bring any more focus to it.

It doesn't look like a natural move to recover balance.
But I figure if he is dumb enough to do something, intentionally, this soon after his suspension, he will do it again. And it will be worse.
So, if this was a real thing, then we will be seeing more from him. And I hope to get to see Ferret Face try to explain it away.

Oh absolutely of your an opposing player or coach you go into any game against Duke with the intention of frustrating him pay his breaking point, especially after seeing this. Everyone has already seen how vulnerable they are without him playing so you make a point of trying to force that to happen.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Taking a look at the play, it looks like Allen and the BC player bang knees together. This moves the BC players leg backwards while the BC player starts running forward, pulling Allens leg out from underneath him.

Allen was in his defensive stance, which has been taught to me for years as having your knees bent and your chest out. If you get one of your legs knocked out of place, you're going to fall forward. And I think that's what happened here.

Chest should never be so far forward that you'd fall that easily. That would mean you would have some serious struggles with change of direction. Chest should align with knees, but be no farther forward.

At this point, Grayson doesn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore when it comes to potential trips during gameplay.

Or at least he shouldn't

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

I know when I fall into a crowd of people. the one thing I do is two hand shove everyone in my way... you know, because moving them out of the way will help break my fall. What I definitely don't do is involuntarily grab onto someone in hopes they either help support me to keep me upright or at least help absorb impact when I fall. Yeah, I definitely don't do that.

But don't worry, ESPN talking heads (coughSethGreenbergcough) have already taken to Social Media to let everyone know that we're the problem here, and Grayson is just being bullied by the fans.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

I would expect him to extend his arms and then bend his elbows to absorb the impact. You know, how anyone would break a fall. Extending his arms after he's made contact with someone doesn't make sense to me. Dude has got to have some issues to be lashing out at people like this.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

At a certain point, you have to ask why he keeps allowing himself to get into these situations. Even if individually, the plays themselves aren't that bad, collectively, it looks like an out of control player habitually playing beyond the line of acceptable behavior.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

It was a little bit of both to me. Allen put his leg in wrong spot (deliberately or not) and the other player tried to (or did) capitalize on it being Allen. He shouldn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore.

Wish there was an angle from midcourt or the baseline so we could see how long their arms are tangled and if that led to the defender hitting the floor. As odd as the play looks, this one to me looks more basketball related than most of Allen's other blunders.

Stop trying to find something in every game. He proved that he's matured in the Wake Forest game. But nobody ever mentions that because it was him doing something appropriate, and where's the fun in that.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.

This one is the closest to an actual basketball foul of all the ones I have seen so far. He made a half-hearted attempt to shut down lane penetration and the Pitt player ends up half stepping off Allens foot. But it's Allen and it was Coach Ks first game back sooooo.......

Yes, Least intentional. He did a slide step to defend, offensive player steps on his foot, Allens foot remains rooted to floor. If he had brought his foot up to hook the guy then we are back in the same boat.

But remember, we're really the ones who are fault here for pointing out that he has a history of this

Don't let this comment take away from the fact that Arkansas blew a 24 point 2nd half lead in the Belk Bowl.
Don't let the Belk Bowl take away from the fact that Matt Ryan blew a 25 point 2nd half lead in the Super Bowl.